I am working on a Patrick Kane article for this week, but it’s been taking me a bit longer than anticipated because there is just so much “Kane content”.
This guy has just incredible this year and I think we tend to take him for granted. I will have something for you all by Friday focusing on #88.
For today’s read/chat, I have my “Fast 5” Blackhawks thoughts I wanted to discuss:
1) Erik Gustafsson – I just stated on The-Rink podcast the other day that people have to be careful when they talk about “punting” this guy via trade. He’s been so good on the PP and his chemistry with Kane is undeniable.
Well, I was referring to his skill.
I was about ready to throw something through my TV during the Hawks 8-5 loss to New Jersey when watching Gustafsson’s EFFORT on the 6th goal of the game.
“Gotta give us a little more” is what Colliton said post-game. A little? I get he’s been a point-per-game player since November, but he’s been getting worse defensively and based on that lackadaisical play on this Rooney’s goal is just appalling:
It’s this type of attitude that will make a teammate turn on you real quick regardless how good you are. I’m glad Colliton benched him and I’ll be interested to see how he handles his ice-time moving forward. At this point, he has to be a lower pairing defenceman / PP1 specialist… until his effort picks up at least.
2) Team Defence – while I’m ragging on Gustafsson, I might as well add in there that he is the worst (or best depending on how you look at it) at being on the ice when high danger scoring chances occur with 206.
Just so we’re all clear, the HDCA definition is: Count of High Danger Scoring Chances against that player's team while that player is on the ice. (source: NaturalStatTrick).
It’s a little bit like +/- in that sense so it’s not surprising that #2 and #3 are also Blackhawks – Kane (197) and Keith (194).
So, is this man-on-man is not working due to personnel or they are going to need more time?
The system itself is fairly straightforward but the Hawks are getting pwned (as the kids say) in their own end and it’s evident from the naked eye, as well as in pretty charts like this:
For those who want to know the pros and cons that Jeremy Colliton weighed before implementing at the NHL level (he was a fan of this prior to his time in Chicago), here are a couple tidbits on ‘Man on Man’ (source: nhlguides.net):
“This system relies on constant puck pressure and denying time and space to the opponent.”
“There is no confusion with the man-on-man system with regard to who a player is covering, but if the opposition is fairly creative and incorporates lots of motion, then it becomes harder to stay with your check. The new rules preventing clutching and grabbing have made it harder to play a true man-on-man system, but it can be very effective if the defenders are good skaters because the offensive team has minimal time with the puck before being pressured, and players away from the puck have trouble finding space to get open for a return pass.”
Right now, my theory is the Hawks have the players with mobility (for the most part) and hockey IQ to play this system, I feel it’s the attention to detail that needs to be amplified.
Hey, maybe they’ll figure it out by the end of the year?
3) Goalie Situation – I have no update on Crawford which isn’t the best sign. He was seen at the UC, smiling, though. Good sign… I guess. The Hawks are being quiet about the situation, but I believe that’s because they just flat out don’t know. The fact that Corey hasn’t been back on the ice yet doesn’t offer reason for optimism.
As we are now in mid-January and the Hawks season is all but lost, what’s the point of him rushing back or playing at all. I’ve said it all along with Corey and other players, being healthy as a human being is all that matters right now.
Moving on to where that leaves the Hawks; Cam Ward didn’t have the best game vs. NJ. I think he remains as a veteran mentor for Delia, while Delia gets a bulk of the starts from there on out.
Even if the Hawks don’t think Crawford is going to return, I don’t think the Hawks look to upgrade the position until the offseason. I also mentioned it on here and JJ and I both agreed recently on The-Rink podcast that it wouldn’t be a shocker if the Hawks brought Ward back as the backup next year with Delia taking the reins (granted Delia continues to show he’s got #1 potential).
4) Trade Chatter – There has been more trade chatter as of late around the league. It sounds like Edmonton and the Leafs could be looking to add pieces. Meanwhile, I would watch teams like Anaheim and Carolina.
I haven’t heard anything on the Hawks front since the whsipsers of Seabrook and Keith around the holidays. Best believe that Stan is determined to continue to make moves though especially as the deadline nears.
I heard last year that the Hawks were open to putting Crawford on the LTIR to accept a larger contract to “help” a team out, while helping themselves out in the same time (ie. Acquiring high picks, high-end prospects, etc.).
The Hawks won’t have to do that this year because according to CapFriendly the Hawks would have $4.5M in projected cap space at their disposal.
For example (and this is just an example), the Hawks acquire Ryan Callahan, Mitchell Stephens and a 2nd round pick in 2020 for John Hayden and Darren Raddysh.
Then Tampa has the cap space to go out and acquire Mark Stone. Then wins the Stanley Cup. Everyone wins.
Currently, TB only has $1.7M in cap space, so if they wanted to make a big move, they would need to make a move. No, Ryan Callahan wouldn’t be ideal for the Hawks as he would cost them $5.8M next year, but the Hawks would be able to fit him in still before DeBrincat and Strome need their money in 2020-21.
I included a prospect like Mitchell Stephens (Boris Katchouk would work as well) because they are highly regarded prospects in TB system (both are former 2nd rounders) and Stan needs to add pieces like this to build around. I really like Stephens game and character. Add in a 2nd round pick and the Hawks could do well in a deal structured like this with future pieces like this.
Like I said, this is strictly an example to add perspective. It is something to keep an eye on.
5) Hawks vs. NYR – The Hawks take on the Rangers tomorrow. The Hawks have lost 4 straight games while New York are losers of 6 of their last 8 games.
NYR are in a transition time as well and sit 6th in the Metro Division and 11 points out of a Wild Card spot.
These teams met back on October 25th with the Hawks winning that contest 4-1.
Let’s hope Colliton doesn’t dress 7 D for this game (it’s always a terrible idea) and look for Delia to get the start.
See ya out there,
JL
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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